Koyoharu Gotouge, the creator of Demon Slayer, is an enigmatic figure in the world of manga. This discreet mangaka has won the hearts of readers worldwide with her flagship work. From her promising beginnings with well-received one-shots to the global explosion of Demon Slayer, Gotouge has paved an extraordinary path in the manga industry. Her unique style, blending frantic action and emotional depth, has captivated millions of fans. Let's dive into the fascinating world of this talented artist, whose impact on contemporary pop culture is undeniable.
Her beginnings before Demon Slayer
Koyoharu Gotouge was born on May 5, 1989, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Passionate about drawing and manga from a young age, she had the support of her parents, who encouraged her to develop her creativity. As she grew up, she drew influence from shonen anime, eventually developing her own style, now recognized by all.
Her early works and one-shots
Before creating Demon Slayer, Koyoharu Gotouge worked on several one-shots:
- Kagarigari (2013): In 2013, at the age of 24, Koyoharu Gotouge participated in the Jump Treasure Newcomer Manga Awards organized by Shueisha and presented her first manga: Kagarigari. The story takes place in a village attacked by an unknown killer, featuring vampires and demon hunters.
- Monju Shirō Kyōdai (2014): This one-shot tells the story of two siblings with supernatural powers who must overcome challenges to protect their village. It was published as part of the Gold Future Cup contest in Weekly Shonen Jump.
- Rokkotsu-san (2014): Another one-shot published for the Gold Future Cup contest. The story focuses on a main character who uses their skills and intelligence to solve supernatural problems and protect those around them. It placed third in the competition.
- Haeniwa no Zigzag (2015): Published in Weekly Shonen Jump, this one-shot follows an eccentric character and their interactions with spirits and supernatural phenomena.
The pivotal meeting with Tatsuhiko Katayama
By participating in all these contests, several doors opened for Koyoharu Gotouge. She met Tatsuhiko Katayama, an editor at Weekly Shonen Jump, who immediately recognized the potential of the young mangaka. He encouraged her to create a longer manga series, which led to the development of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
The success of Demon Slayer
Publication in Weekly Shonen Jump
Demon Slayer was first published in 2016 in Weekly Shonen Jump No. 11. The series quickly gained immense commercial and critical success. It follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy whose family is slaughtered by demons, except for his sister Nezuko, who is turned into a demon. Tanjiro embarks on a quest to avenge his family and find a cure to restore his sister to human form. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps.
Anime adaptation
The anime, produced by Ufotable, was a phenomenal success, particularly with the Mugen Train arc, which became the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. Viewers quickly connected with the characters of Demon Slayer. They particularly enjoyed the relationship between Tanjiro and Nezuko, as well as their struggle against Muzan Kibutsuji, the original demon. Secondary characters like Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Kokushibo, the Upper Moon 1, also received praise.
A global phenomenon
It is clearly the anime that brought Demon Slayer international recognition. In 2021, over 150 million copies were sold worldwide, making the series one of the best-selling of all time. While still far behind One Piece, Dragon Ball, or Naruto in terms of sales, Demon Slayer is steadily gaining popularity, being streamed on Netflix.
Awards and accolades
Koyoharu Gotouge, the brilliant mind behind Demon Slayer, has been widely recognized for her impact in the world of manga. Here are some of the awards she has received:
- Second Noma Prize for Publishing Culture (2020): This prestigious award recognizes her exceptional talent and influence on the publishing industry.
- Inclusion in Time's "Phenoms" list (2021): Koyoharu Gotouge became the first mangaka to appear on this list.
- New Artist Award (2021): Presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
The works of Koyoharu Gotouge
| Title | Year | Type | Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
Kagarigari
 |
2013 | One-shot | - |
Monju Shirō Kyōdai
 |
2014 | One-shot | - |
Rokkotsu-san
 |
2014 | One-shot | - |
Haeniwa no Zigzag
 |
2015 | One-shot | Weekly Shonen Jump |
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
 |
2016-2020 | Ongoing series | Weekly Shonen Jump |
Fun facts about Koyoharu Gotouge and Demon Slayer
- Tanjiro Kamado was inspired by Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.
- Gotouge uses an alligator avatar to maintain her anonymity.
- Tanjiro's fighting style is based on Muay Thai.
- Demon Slayer features a unique language, "Demon Slayer-speak": a mix of Japanese and English, visible in the technique names and inscriptions on the characters' weapons and uniforms.
- Demon Slayer has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Chinese, French, and Spanish.
